with Hugh McDermott MP

I recently stood at Blacktown Hospital with the Hon . Ryan Park MP , Minister for Health , as the Minns Labor Government announced an initiative that could transform how we deliver healthcare in NSW . For anyone who ’ s had the experience of waiting hours in an emergency department , or been anxious about a loved one stuck in a hospital bed , the news couldn ’ t come soon enough . The Minns Labor Government is investing $ 31.4 million to expand the Hospital in the Home ( HITH ) program , allowing thousands more patients to receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes , rather than a hospital bed . This initiative has already benefited over 5,300 patients in the past year .

And with the new funding , an additional 3,500 patients annually could be treated this way - freeing up around 9,000 hospital bed days . It ’ s a huge step forward in relieving pressure on

our already overstretched emergency departments .

As part of this expansion , the Government is ramping up staff and improving virtual care infrastructure , including videoconferencing and remote patient monitoring . The technology allows healthcare professionals to track patients ’ recovery remotely , ensuring they receive the same high level of care without being confined to a hospital ward .

A key feature of this expansion is the widening of eligibility for HITH . Conditions like cellulitis , pneumonia , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and even some urinary tract infections can now be managed effectively at home .

For many , this means avoiding the stress of hospital admission altogether and recovering in a familiar , more comfortable environment .

But this initiative is just one piece of a broader strategy . The Minns Government is rolling out a series of measures aimed at reducing the pressure on our health system . In total , $ 171.4 million is being invested to expand virtual care services , potentially sparing 180,000 people from needing to visit the emergency department . An additional $ 100 million is being funneled into urgent care services , preventing over 114,000 ED presentations each year .

These investments aren ’ t just about easing the load on hospitals — they ’ re about

improving the patient experience . The expansion of emergency department short stay units is expected to cut ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours . A $ 15.1 million Ambulance Matrix will give paramedics realtime data on hospital capacities , ensuring patients are taken to facilities where they ’ ll be seen quicker .

And crucially , $ 53.9 million is being set aside to improve discharge planning , helping people get home sooner with the appropriate support in place .

The past 12 years , under the former Liberal National Government , our emergency departments have borne the brunt of a system that struggles to keep pace with growing demand . The consequences have been felt by both patients and healthcare workers alike — long waits , overburdened staff , and a system under strain .

These reforms aim to address that , offering practical solutions to alleviate some of the pressure .

This isn ’ t just about numbers or bed days — it ’ s about changing how we think about healthcare delivery . With more virtual care , more home-based

treatments , and a proactive approach to patient flow , the Minns Labor Government is reshaping the landscape of NSW ’ s health system . It ’ s a recognition that not every illness requires a hospital bed , and that patients often recover better and faster in the comfort of their own homes .

It ’ s a forward-thinking strategy that puts patients first while helping the health system function more efficiently . The HITH program and these broader investments represent a vital shift in how we tackle healthcare challenges , and if the momentum continues , we could see lasting improvements to both patient outcomes and hospital capacity .

As your State Member , I am proud to stand with the Minns Labor Government as we continue working to improve healthcare delivery across our state .